Ultrabroadband photonic structures to achieve high-performance daytime radiative cooling

Nano Lett. 2013 Apr 10;13(4):1457-61. doi: 10.1021/nl4004283. Epub 2013 Mar 11.

Abstract

If properly designed, terrestrial structures can passively cool themselves through radiative emission of heat to outer space. For the first time, we present a metal-dielectric photonic structure capable of radiative cooling in daytime outdoor conditions. The structure behaves as a broadband mirror for solar light, while simultaneously emitting strongly in the mid-IR within the atmospheric transparency window, achieving a net cooling power in excess of 100 W/m(2) at ambient temperature. This cooling persists in the presence of significant convective/conductive heat exchange and nonideal atmospheric conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Atmosphere
  • Hot Temperature
  • Metals / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / chemistry
  • Photons*
  • Sunlight*

Substances

  • Metals